2025 Summer NRO Student Internship Program
We Are The NRO
For over 60 years, the NRO has developed, acquired, launched, and operated the satellites that are the foundation for America’s advantage and strength in space. Using a diversified architecture of spacecraft, NRO collects and delivers the best space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance content on the planet. Learn more at nro.gov.
Basic Eligibility For A Position With The NRO
- Be a U.S. Citizen
- Be suitable for federal employment, as determined by a background investigation
- Be able to obtain and hold a TS/SCI security clearance, including polygraph
- Have favorable results on a pre-employment drug test
- Register for the Selective Service System if male, over 18 years of age and born after Dec 31, 1959
NRO Summer Intern Program
Are you ready to learn what it takes to be a member of our vibrant and diverse team of experts? Apply to participate in NRO's Summer Internship Program today! We’re actively seeking motivated, highly qualified candidates in a wide variety of career categories including Contracts, Financial Management, Mission Support, and Office of the Inspector General, Security and Technical. To learn more about the Career Fields, please click here.
The NRO Summer Internship Program provides students pursuing advanced education with paid opportunities to work at the NRO and explore career paths related to their academic field of study or career interests. Interns will receive training and guidance to prepare them to support NRO projects and initiatives.
Summer interns are full-time employees on a temporary appointment for the period of 10 weeks between June and August. With a successful evaluation at the end of the summer, there may be an opportunity to return during subsequent summers based on mission requirements, continued eligibility, and the student's availability.
Benefits Available to Interns
- Onsite workout facility and up to 3 hours per week paid physical fitness time
- Flexible work schedule
- Recognition for superior performance
- Dedicated NRO University
- Upon successful evaluation and mission need, there is a chance to 'convert' to a full-time employee after graduation
What You Will Be Doing
Intern Projects: Each intern will be given a project to complete that aligns with their experience and education or based on mission need. Specific duties will expose individuals to independent and team-oriented work opportunities. Each intern performs under direct supervision and will be provided feedback on a regular and timely basis.
Professional Development and Training: Throughout the summer, NRO interns will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of professional development and training experiences. Some of these events include speaker series with NRO seniors, Security Q&A sessions, and NRO mission overviews.
External Events and Experiences: As time and availability permit, interns will be able to take advantage of selected events outside of the NRO. These may include tours of mission partner agencies such as the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) and National Security Agency (NSA).
Who May Apply
To be eligible for the program, the requirements include:
- Be enrolled full-time in an undergraduate or graduate degree program at an accredited college or university
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Undergraduates must have completed a minimum of 24 credit hours
- Provide an unofficial transcript at the time of application and an official transcript upon acceptance into the program from the academic institution
- Be available for an interview and other applicable processing
- Pass a drug test, and no federally illegal drug use in the past 12 months. Prior drug use is carefully evaluated
- Be available, and geographically located near Chantilly, Virginia, or NRO's ground stations for the 10-week summer program from June – August
Preferred qualifications include:
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Good organization and planning skills and be able to demonstrate effective project coordination and implementation based on past work or school experiences
- Possess deductive reasoning skills and be able to analyze and synthesize information for problem-solving
- Prior experience in the Intelligence Community or space-related agency
What You Need to Apply
Required - Resume and Transcript
In order to qualify for this position, your resume and transcripts must provide sufficient evidence of experience and or education relevant to the specific position for which you are being considered. Your resume will be evaluated based on the following criteria: Range of occupational skills relevant to the position, alignment of education and/or work experience to the position, evidence of your experience collaborating with others, evidence of your experience presenting information-communication skills. Please be clear and concise when describing your experience.
Although NRO will accept unofficial transcripts, we cannot accept transcripts with limited information. When uploading your transcript, ensure it includes the following information.
- Your Name
- College/University Name
- Overall GPA
- Number of course credits
Please upload a transcript from the institution you are currently attending. If you have started a graduate program but have not completed your first semester, you must submit your undergraduate transcript along with proof of enrollment in a graduate program.
Locations
Chantilly, Virginia (All positions)
Fort Belvoir, Springfield, Virginia (Technical Career Field only)
White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico (Technical Career Field only)
Buckley Air Force Base, Aurora, Colorado (Technical Career Field only)
***Interns selected for the Technical Career Field may be offered to work at one of NRO's ground stations instead of NRO HQ in Chantilly, VA.***
Salary
2024 Salary Range for Washington DC Area:
Working towards:
- Bachelor’s Degree: GG-06, Step 5 - $57,037 per year or $27.33 per hour
- Master’s Degree: GG-07, Step 5 - $63,381 per year or $30.37 per hour
- Doctorate: GG-09, Step 5 - $77,525 per year or $37.15 per hour
Federal pay is a combination of base and locality pay which is based on the geographic location of where you work.
These positions are Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) positions in the Excepted Service under Title 10 USC 1601.
Application Information
Please review instructions prior to completing the application and answer all questions carefully.
NRO interns will be placed in 1 of 6 career fields based on their selection in their application (Contracts, Financial Management, Mission Support, Office of Inspector General, Security, or Technical). If you are unsure which Career Field you should select, please review a description of each one below:
Contracts
Ensures that contractual baselines are in compliance with Federal and NRO regulations, policies, and standards. A Contract Specialist serves as a Business Advisor, who in coordination with Acquisition Program Management, assist in developing and implanting acquisition strategies and requirements documents, contract management (negotiations, administration, and etc.), and monitor contractor performance throughout the lifecycle, ensuring overall mission success. Example jobs in this career field include:
- Contract Specialist
Financial Management
As a budget analyst, you will analyze, distill, and transform financial, schedule, and performance data from multiple sources into the products that are essential to program managers and NRO leadership. You will leverage your expertise to exercise core NRO financial processes to include the preparation of congressional budget justification materials, managing funding appropriates by Congress and provided by other government organizations, and working closely with NRO and Industry counterparts to ensure seamless execution of the NRO mission in a dynamic environment. Example jobs in this career field include:
- Accounting
- Audit Compliance
- Budget Execution
- Budget Formulation
- Fiscal Law & Policy
- Financial Systems
Mission Support
Provides expertise in unique disciplines supporting a wide range of functions, such as administrative, equal employment, human resources, logistics, and non-acquisition program management. Example jobs in this career field include:
- Equal Employment Opportunity
- Facilities/Logistics Management
- Human Resources
- International Affairs/Policy & Strategy
- Program/Project Management
- Public Affairs
Office of Inspector General
Office of Inspector General is NRO's trusted companion for accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement. Example jobs in this career field include:
- Auditor
- Data Scientist
- Financial Auditor
- Investigator
Security
Develops security threat protection planning and execution for operations across NRO programs and facilities. Provide personnel security services to support all NRO workforce. Example jobs in this career field include:
- Counterintelligence
- Cybersecurity
- Program Security
Technical
Provides technical expertise in support of acquisition, operations, mission support, launch, and other NRO missions. Offers knowledge and experience in a broad range of technical domains and specialties including research, design, development, integration and testing, program management, launch, operations, maintenance, and disposal of cutting-edge overhead intelligence systems for national security. Example jobs in this career field include:
- Cybersecurity
- Data Scientist
- Engineering
- Mathematics
- Physical Analysis
- Program Analysis
Trial Period
All new DCIPS employees will be required to serve a two-year trial period.
Veterans’ Preference
DoD Components with DCIPS positions apply Veterans’ Preference to preference eligible candidates as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 USC, in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Vol 2005, DCIPS Employment and Placement. If you are a veteran claiming Veterans’ Preference, as defined by section 2108 of Title 5 USC, you must submit documents verifying your eligibility upon request.
Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.
Reasonable Accommodation Policy
Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation during the application process should follow the instructions in the job opportunity announcement. For any part of the remaining hiring process, applicants should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
A reasonable accommodation is any change to a job, the work environment, or the way things are usually done that enables an individual with a disability to apply for a job, perform job duties or receive equal access to job benefits.
Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodations when:
- An applicant with a disability needs an accommodation to have an equal opportunity to apply for a job
- An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to perform the essential job duties or to gain access to the workplace
- An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to receive equal access to benefits, such as details, training, and office-sponsored events
You can request a reasonable accommodation at any time during the application, hiring process, or while on the job. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please send your request to InternPrograms@nro.mil.
Privacy Act Notice
Privacy Act Notice (PL 93-579): We use this information to determine qualifications for employment. This is authorized under Title 5 U.S.C. 3302 and 3361.
Read more about the Privacy Act of 1974